The 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Is the Alternative Super Truck
Drivers of Toyota trucks have always marched to the beat of their own drum–because Toyota builds something unique in the pickup segment. As Ford, Ram, and now Chevy’s supercharged off-road super trucks duke it out, Toyota yet again went its own way. The 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is not supercharged–it instead makes nearly 600 lb-ft of torque with a cutting-edge hybrid system. Yet it’s still one of the most capable factory off-roaders you can buy. The TRD Pro is a truly alternative supertruck.
The 2022 Tundra TRD Pro is Toyota’s flagship off-roader
The TRD Pro trim level is the pinnacle of Toyota Racing Development’s off-road engineering. You can order the Tacoma, 4Runner, Sequoia, and Tundra in a TRD Pro trim level.
In the Tundra, this trim level comes with a factory leveling kit, lifting the front of the truck one inch. If that’s not enough for you, you can order three-inch lift up front and a two-inch lift in the rear. This option bumps its ground clearance to 13.2 inches.
The latest Toyota Tundra TRD Pro also boasts FOX Racing shock absorbers with a 2.5-inch diameter. It rides on Falken Wildpeak A/T tires wrapped around 18-inch BBS forged TRD Racing rims.
New for 2022, the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro offers a whole suite of off-road driver-aid software that was previously only available on the Tacoma. The TRD Pro has a multi-terrain select system that uses the ABS to stop wheelspin, making the locking rear differential almost superfluous. It even has a low-speed cruise control, which takes care of acceleration and braking so you can focus on steering.
This includes a trail cam which, combined with its segment-leading 14-inch infotainment screen, allows you to essentially see through the truck’s tall hood to preview the upcoming terrain. Unlike the Ram 1500 TRX and Ford F-150 Raptor, the Tundra TRD Pro has a proper transfer case that you can swap from 2WD to 4WD. The competition locks you in with full-time 4WD.
The 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is a hybrid
Imagine for a moment that you nab a “hybrid only” green parking spot with your full-size, gnarly off-road Tundra TRD Pro. You would raise some eyebrows, to say the least! But the 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro leverages a cutting-edge hybrid powertrain to make big power numbers: the i-FORCE MAX.
By sandwiching a powerful electric motor between the truck’s turbocharged V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission, Toyota was able to make 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. Reviewers have found the systems power delivery so smooth, you can only tell whether its running on electric or internal combustion by looking at the tachometer. While the power rolls on smoothly, the truck has a surprising amount of top-end.
Electric 4x4s promise to be better off-road than their internal combustion counterparts. With all of the Tundra’s electric torque available from zero RPM, it is a preview of the electric vehicles that may soon dominate trails. This make it’s one of the world’s most capable conversation-starters.
Is the 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro worth it?
Back when Toyota first revealed that the Tundra TRD Pro would make 583 lb-ft of torque–more than any F-150 Raptor at the time–I wrote that it would actually be a cost-effective Ford Raptor. But then Toyota added $17k to the 2022 Tundra TRD Pro’s price. At $67,505, the 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is priced competitively with other factory supertrucks.
Compared to the Ford Raptor 37, or even the Ram 1500 TRX, the TRD Pro is a bit under-tired: it rides on 32.5-inch units while the TRX gets 35s and the newest Raptor is named after its 37s. The Tundra also lacks the long-travel suspension of those desert-racing-inspired trucks. It is certainly a unique alternative but far from the best bargain in the Tundra lineup.
If you are looking for a cost-effective 4WD Tundra, you should definitely consider adding the TRD off-road package to a lower trim level. Here’s a handy table to understand the difference between the 2022 Tundra TRD Pro trim level and the TRD Off-Road package:
| 4WD Tundra SR5 (TRD Off-Road) | Tundra TRD Pro | |
| Price | $46,165 | $67,505 |
| Output | 389 horsepower, 479 lb-ft of torque | 437 horsepower, 583 lb-ft of torque |
| Suspension | Tuned Bilstein shock absorbers | 2.5-inch FOX Racing |
| Rims | 18-inch TRD Racing | 18-inch BBS Forged TRD Racing |
| Tires | Falken Wildpeak A/T (265) | Falken Wildpeak A/T (285) |
Next, check out MotorBiscuit’s Tundra TRD Pro review or see the 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for yourself in the video below:
